So where did the term ‘French kissing’ actually come from?
Tongues, beaks, muzzles, slobbering or perhaps just the most obvious word: kissing. There are undoubtedly countless other terms, but in the Netherlands, these words refer to kissing with the tongue. In the English language, however, they use a very different term, namely French kissing. But what is actually the origin of this term?
French kissing, or as we generally call it in the Netherlands: tongue kissing, is an intimate, erotic kiss. You and your partner(s) – yes, it can certainly be with more than one – open your mouths so that your tongues touch each other, and in reality, you play around a bit with that. Everyone puts their own spin on tongue kissing, which always makes it exciting and innovative, but occasionally there can also be some significant misses. A tongue kiss is never boring and can even be healthy.
Kiss or tongue kiss?
In the Netherlands, we make a clear distinction between kissing and making out. Among us, it is commonly known that we see kissing as something light and making out as something more intense. In English-speaking countries, such as the United States, there is no specific word for ‘making out’ and they actually only talk about ‘kissing’. This can be confusing because the difference between a kiss on the lips and a tongue kiss is significant. That is why the Americans have placed the word ’French‘ in front of it, which can be translated as ’French'. With that one word in front, they know that it is about a real tongue kiss.
Historical kiss myths
Many myths circulate that take you back to the history of France. In the aftermath of World War I, some stories claim that American soldiers, just arrived in enchanting, romantic Paris, were pleasantly surprised by the passionate kissing habits of the French. The locals celebrated their liberation exuberantly and embraced freedom with an overwhelming dose of love, which somewhat surprised the Americans. The myth goes that this wonder about the French way of kissing resulted in the term ‘French kiss’, coined by the American soldiers. Although the historical accuracy of this story is debatable, it adds a touch of charm to the term, which is now synonymous with the well-known tongue kiss.
Linguistic reference
The term ‘French kissing’ does not necessarily originate from the romanticized myth involving American soldiers after World War I. In reality, the term is often attributed to the early twentieth century in the United States. The English language acquired a new expression, possibly inspired by the cultural perception of French freedom and passion. The idea of tongue kissing, where the tongues are involved in the kiss, was at some point referred to as ‘French kissing’. The use of ‘French’ often suggests a certain degree of refinement, romance, and even boldness, which fits well with the stereotypical image of French culture at that time. However, the precise origin remains somewhat unclear and seems to stem more from linguistic developments than from a historically documented event.
To stay on the kissing theme: also read our 10 facts about kissing.
Image: Netflix
